Up, Up and Away

Photo Credit: SpaceX

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Up, Up and Away

The Falcon 9 rocket's first stage was making its second trip into space, carrying the Paz satellite into orbit for Spanish operator Hisdesat. The booster was not recovered for additional use after the Feb. 22 launch.

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Powerful Take Off

Photo Credit: SpaceX

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Powerful Take Off

This amazing long-exposure view shows the Falcon 9 as a pillar of flame launching into the predawn California sky. The Paz satellite will monitor Earth in radar wavelengths from 319-mile-high, quasi-polar orbit. The Paz satellite is set to last at least 5.5 years.

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Dual-Purpose Launch

Photo Credit: SpaceX

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Dual-Purpose Launch

This view (another long-exposure image) shows the Falcon 9 rocket streaking upward to the point of stage separation (the plume at the top). Riding into orbit on the Falcon 9 alongside the Paz satellite were two of SpaceX's own Starlink demo satellites (called Tintin A & B). Starlink is envisioned to be a network of thousands of satellites designed to provide broadband internet service around the world.